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BERLIN: Just seven rounds into the Bundesliga season, a Harry Kane-powered Bayern Munich are already threatening to pull away from the chasing pack.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to historic rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bayern are five points clear of second-placed RB Leipzig.
The defending Bundesliga champions have won 12 from 12 in all competitions. They are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues yet to drop a point.
Central to Bayern’s barnstorming opening has been England captain Kane.
The 32-year-old has 20 goals in those 12 Bayern victories. He has chalked up 12 goals and three assists in seven Bundesliga games.
But Kane’s contribution this season has gone far beyond getting his name on the scoresheet.
Nowhere has Kane’s all-round contribution been clearer than in last Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Borussia Dortmund.
Named in the number 10 role behind striker Nicolas Jackson, Kane was everywhere, dropping back to defend and pinging passes from deep to Bayern’s lightning-quick wingers Michael Olize and Luis Diaz.
But the additional creative burden clearly did not blunt Kane’s effectiveness in front of goal.
On Saturday, Kane produced a textbook center-forward’s finish to open the scoring for Bayern, leaping high to head in a corner with 21 minutes gone.
Tipped by some to return to England, Kane, however, indicated he was likely to stick around longer in Germany, particularly after coach Vincent Kompany extended his deal until 2029 this week.
“Conversations will be had,” Kane said after Bayern beat Club Brugge 4-0 on Wednesday in the Champions League.
“Not next month, but maybe in the new year. We’re in a great position. I feel good.
“Kompany is a big part of the club and a key part of why I enjoy being here so much. The extension is great news.”
Worryingly for Bayern’s rivals, they look set to get better.
On Thursday, Jamal Musiala trained for the first time since breaking his ankle at the Club World Cup in July.
Initially expected back in 2026, sporting director Max Eberl said Musiala could return before Christmas.
The 22-year-old creative midfielder told reporters: “It was great to be back on the pitch. It felt great. My foot felt good.”
Bayern’s incredible form means there is no need to rush Musiala back. Likewise with Alphonso Davies, who is working his way back from an ACL tear.
“It’s always just step by step, you don’t want to do anything too quickly,” Musiala said.
“When I come back, I want to be at 100 percent and at a good level. That’s why we’re taking our time.”
Elsewhere on matchday eight, second-placed RB Leipzig travel to mid-table Augsburg, while Dortmund take on the impressive Cologne.

One to watch: Fabio Silva (Borussia Dortmund)
Known to Premier League fans for a disappointing stint at Wolves, Borussia Dortmund striker Fabio Silva is quietly showing the talent which once had him pinned as a rising star.
Silva, 23, impressed after coming on against Bayern Munich on Saturday and scored his first Dortmund goal in Tuesday’s 4-2 Champions League victory at Copenhagen.
With first-choice striker Serhou Guirassy nursing a thigh complaint, Silva could be in line for his first Dortmund start on Saturday at home against Cologne.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said as much on Tuesday, telling reporters: “Fabio is playing more and more. I’m trying to give him more and more minutes because he deserves them.”

STA. ROSA, Laguna: Faisal Salhab has commented that he had a lovely junior experience growing up and playing in ��������. These days, he and Khaled Attieh have their hands full as part of the Asian Tour caravan that has taken them to multiple countries in the region.

Such is the transformation of the Saudi duo who have both graced the pages of Arab News since they were children. Attieh still remembers the lengthy interview he gave to Arab News when he was still a bubbly 12-year-old, and says he still has a copy of the paper, while Salhab shot his first eagle at Dirab Golf Club in Riyadh as a 13-year old, a feat that was documented by Arab News.

“It’s crazy, unbelievable. (It’s) good to see you,” Salhab, 26, excitedly said on Friday after Arab News caught up with him at the driving range of Sta. Elena Golf Club, the location for the International Series Philippines, presented by BingoPlus.

Attieh, now 31, returned a wide smile and waved his hand after he realized who called him from behind.

There are five Saudis playing on the Asian Tour, including the reputed poster boy of Saudi golf, Othman Almulla.

Salhab and Attieh might have failed to make the cut at the elevated Asian Tour event but they will be moving on richer in experience and looking forward to a repeat visit to the Philippines given the chance.

They said: “This is our first time visiting the Philippines. Beautiful people; beautiful golf course; very good hospitality, and happy to be here. From what we have seen this will not be our last time to be here.”

Salhab said: “Sta. Elena is a gorgeous golf course. Tough fairways and greens. We are lucky to miss the rain.”

Salhab, who lives in Riyadh, shared that Golf Saudi’s new push is internal growth.

The Jeddah-based Attieh, who is the youngest amateur Arab golfer to have qualified for the Dubai Desert Classic, was 8 over after two rounds of the tournament at Sta. Elena following scores of 77 and 75, while Salhab was +11 (77, 78).

The Saudi pair, who are both explosive hitters, had made a number of cuts on the Saudi-backed Asian Tour and arrived in the Philippines from Macau.

They fly next to Hong Kong and Singapore before returning to ��������.

Salhab said it had been tough on the golf tour, but he has learned to embrace it as it is a job they both have to do.